Going to Court for Speeding Offence | Motoring Offence Solicitors A sample notice is attached at Annex A below. Driving or attempting to drive while unfit through drink or drugs (section 4(1) RTA), Driving or attempting to drive with excess alcohol in breath, blood or urine (section 5(1)(a) RTA), and, where the Crown Court has made specific reference to matters which it has taken into account when sentencing, the prosecution should not revive or continue with summary offences the substance of which has been reflected in such a sentence. Frequently Asked Questions | Honest John A person disqualified under s.36 RTOA 1988 until a driving test is passed commits an offence under s.103 RTA 1988 if he or she drives whilst disqualified otherwise than in accordance with any provisional licence issued. Notice Of Intended Prosecution (NIP) - Dont Disappoint Me If a charge under s.2 RTA 1988 is sent to trial on indictment, the issue is for the trial court, unless the prosecutor decides that there has been a fatal non-compliance with the requirement. Such a warning need not be specific but must refer to one or more of the offences to which s.1 RTOA 1988 applies. The prosecution do not have to call evidence that s.1 RTOA 1988 has been complied with unless the defendant proves, on a balance of probabilities, that no effective notice was given. This will be sent to the registered keeper within 14 days of the offence. All these offences are summary, non-endorsable and punishable with a fine at level 4, and subject to a time limit of six months from the date of the offence. Therefore, any person using a Segway on a road will be driving otherwise than in accordance with a driving licence. Because self-balancing Personal Transporters do not meet the relevant requirements for use on UK roads, and because there is no separate legislation here for public road use by non-EC type-approved vehicles, they cannot be registered and licensed for use on a public road. The duty to report means 'as soon as reasonably practicable': (Bulman v Bennett [1974] RTR 1). Case Study: Speeding . Such a challenge should usually be considered only if the law was wrongly applied or the decision can be shown to be Wednesbury unreasonable. evidence of a person who was present in court when the defendant was convicted on an earlier occasion and able to identify him as present in court. The police must send the notice so that it can be expected to arrive within 14 days of the alleged offence. The Notice of Intended Prosecution time limit of 28 days can incur harsh penalties of a fine up to 1,000 and six penalty points on a driver's licence if not dealt with inside the 28 day time constraints. The driver must be given notice in writing specifying the reason for the prohibition and its duration. The Notice must be sent to the registered keeper to arrive within 14 days of the offence. As a general rule, if you're caught travelling in excess of 45% . A. . Further exceptions to the six-month time limit appear in provisions in other Acts identical in effect to section 6 RTOA 1988. For example, such a situation may arise where the outstanding summary offence is a drink/drive allegation where the accused is liable to a three-year disqualification following a previous conviction. No member of the Crown Prosecution Service or agent acting for them, or member of the magistrates' court staff should ordinarily be required to inspect or verify a motorist's driving documents relevant to a prosecution before the court. The general time limit for injury litigation is three years, with multiple exceptions and special cases. The NIP must be served on the registered keeper of the vehicle within 14 days of the offence otherwise the offence can't proceed to court. This offence may often overlap with other statutory offences, namely: When considering the proper charge the prosecutor should consider the appropriate venue for trial. When dealing with offences specifically relating to the use of forged documents contrary to s.173(1) RTA or s.44 VERA, the document concerned must be one of those listed within the relevant section. If you have received a Notice of Intended Prosecution and would like further information, please get in touch by sending me a message, contacting me on 07843 018747 or 0115 784 0382, or by email . Following such a demand, no motorist who has not produced his or her driving documents at a police station should produce them to a court in answer to a charge or summons without having previously produced them at a police station for inspection. It is no defence for a person disqualified in their absence to claim that they did not know that they had been disqualified. etc. An analogy can be drawn from the case of DPP v Hay where it was held that once the prosecution has proved that the defendant drove the motor vehicle on a road, it is then for the defendant to show that he held a driving licence and that there was in force an appropriate policy of insurance, since these are matters that are peculiarly within his knowledge. The Speeding Ticket 14-Day Rule | Motoring Offence Lawyers This should be done with the approval of the court and in order to assist in determining the question of disqualification. Proceedings cease to be specified if a magistrates' court begins to receive evidence in those proceedings other than evidence that is: Proceedings for an offence mentioned in the Schedule are not specified if the defendant is charged under s.37(7)(d) Police and Criminal Evidence Act 1984 (PACE 1984) or the defendant is less than 16 years old at the time when a summons or requisition is issued in respect of the offence - S.3(1A and B) Prosecution of Offences Act 1985. A. Please note, if the notice is sent to you by post, it should contain the following details: The details of the driving offence (e.g. The Notice of Intended Prosecution is a notification, usually by the police, that a prosecution is being considered against a person. The same considerations will thus apply. A NIP can also be issued to limited companies and the requirement of disclosure is is also obligatory. Help us to improve our website;let us know The notice of intended prosecution is automatically regarded to have been served within the time limit unless it is disputed. A taxi driver who had a licence to ply for hire in Rossendale and whose insurance covered him for the carriage of passengers for hire or reward under a public hire licence was not guilty of having no insurance in spite of plying for hire in Oldham, to which his licence did not extend. The offence under section 63B(8) of the Police and Criminal Evidence Act 1984. "Intended or adapted for use on roads" is also not defined by statute and again is ultimately a matter for the court to decide based on the evidence before it. "Road" is defined at s.142 of the Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984 as any length of highway or other road to which the public has access and includes bridges over which a road passes. from 2-196 to 2-221 for a full commentary. Notice of Intended Prosecution (NIPs) | Kent Traffic Law . Where there is a conviction for careless driving the lesser offence of failing to conform should be preserved at least until the chance of a reversal of the careless driving conviction has passed. Furthermore, considerable time will have elapsed since the alleged commission of the offences. When the prosecutor considers instituting proceedings within the extended time limit period, reasons for the delay and any degree of responsibility borne by the offender should be taken into account. Directions may also be given to remove the vehicle and, if applicable, any trailer to any place specified. There are four categories: Thirdly, it must be established whether the vehicle concerned is a goods vehicle, or passenger vehicle as distinct provisions apply. It is enough that it is received by a member of his staff impliedly authorised to receive it. The minimum penalty for speeding is a 100 fine and 3 penalty points added to your licence. In serious cases a conspiracy charge should be considered; Whether persons who might be guilty of the offence or offences such as office staff and drivers should be used as witnesses where they have been threatened with the sack unless they continue to act illegally. Section 6 applies to the following offences under RTA 1988: Section 37 of the Vehicles (Crime) Act 2001 amends the time limit in the Theft Act. All who deal with cases where document production is made should be alive to the current sophistication of fraudulently produced material. If you do not receive it within 14 days, any prosecution may be considered invalid. For further commentary see (Wilkinson's 6.01). Section 161A Highways Act 1980 (lighting fires so as to injure, interrupt or endanger users of a highway); Section 131(2) Highways Act 1980 (obliterating or pulling down a traffic sign). There is a duty on a person who chooses to drive to ensure that he or she is entitled to do so. It will often be appropriate to prosecute for both this offence and for careless driving as a result of the same incident of driving. Section 97(1) TA 1968 which is summary only, prohibits the use of a vehicle to which the TA 1968 applies in which "recording equipment" as stipulated in the Community Recording Equipment Regulations 3821/85 has either not been fitted or has not been appropriately repaired. Sometimes a similar document called a 'postal requisition' arrives instead. Production of driving documents at the police station in the first instance must be encouraged. Local arrangements should be agreed for the speedy and efficient notification to the court that acceptable, or otherwise, production has been made. It was held that the court could not go behind the prosecutor's certificate save where the certificate was inaccurate on its face or in cases of fraud. Under s.148 RTA 1988 Insurance companies cannot validly restrict an insurance policy by reference to any of the matters listed in s.148(2). A copy should be provided to all parties and to the court. Section 3 (careless driving/driving without reasonable consideration), Section 22 (leaving the vehicle in a dangerous position), Sections 35 and 36 (disobeying certain traffic signs and police signals) And under the Road Traffic Regulation Act. However, a notice is still required if the defendant was unaware that there had been an accident: see Bentley v Dickinson [1983] RTR 356. Any such notice should also warn defendants of the seriousness of producing or attempting to produce any forged or unlawful documentation with attempt to deceive. 1503 & 1507. By post - Speed Enforcement Unit, PO Box 213, Bristol, BS20 1DR; See also DPP v Vivier [1991] Crim LR 637, DPP v Neville [1996] 160 JP 758 and Cutter v Eagle Star Insurance Co. Ltd, Clarke v Kato and Others [1998] 4 All ER 417. Questions | West Yorkshire Police I Have Received A Notice of Intended Prosecution - Forrest Williams Not only does the offence appear to cover a situation where the seals have been physically altered or tampered with, but also the use of a correctly manufactured and correctly placed seal where it can be proved that the mere use of the seal is accompanied by an intention to deceive. A NIP, or Notice of Intended Prosecution, is used to notify you that you may be prosecuted for a road traffic offence that has been committed. be warned at the time that he might be prosecuted for an offence, or, be served with a summons . A. As far as alerting persons to any alleged offence, notice can be given by different means. Driving a motor vehicle on a road whilst disqualified is a serious matter since it will usually involve the deliberate flouting of a court order. Notice of Intended Prosecution lawyers. Other legal requirements relate to construction and use, and to lighting. Under s.96(11)(b) TA 1968 liability also falls upon "any other person (being that driver's employer or a person to whose order the driver was subject) who caused or permitted the contravention". If different issues are in dispute and it is the intention of the prosecution to proceed regardless of the outcome of the Crown Court trial, the prosecution should consider asking for such summary offences to be heard first. The phrase "any person" includes, but is not limited to, limited companies or, depending upon evidential criteria, officers of such a company. . A Notice of Intended Prosecution (NIP) is a warning issued to inform a driver that they may be prosecuted for a motoring offence. . Questions | West Yorkshire Police Additionally, the user would need a driving licence and motor insurance. Mutual recognition of driving disqualifications between the United Kingdom and Republic of Ireland came into force on 28 January 2010. This is an either way offence; Section 115(2) Road Traffic Regulations Act 1984 - making a false statement to obtain a parking authorisation. No notice is required if a full or provisional fixed penalty notice has been given or fixed (under the Provisions of the Road Traffic Offenders Act 1988) or if there is an accident involving the vehicle in question (of which the driver is aware). Section 170(3) places an obligation on the driver, if he does not give his name and address under subsection (2) above, to report the accident to a police constable or police station as soon as reasonably practicable and in any case within 24 hours. Whether a motorist has valid driving documents to cover his use of a motor vehicle on a road is a matter for police investigation. The prosecution argued that by plying for hire in Oldham, he was acting outside the terms of his insurance. received in proceedings held in the absence of the accused - s.11(1) MCA 1980 proof in absence; read out before the court under s.12(7) MCA 1980 (non-appearance of accused: plea of guilty); or. I was . Any person who aids and abets, counsels or procures the making of such a false record can be charged under s.8 Accessories and Abettors Act 1861. An allegation of driving without insurance should never be withdrawn as a matter of convenience when pleas of guilty are tendered in respect of other offences. The offences under section 12(3) and 14(3) of the Drugs Act 2005. SCHEDULE 1 Offences to which sections 1, 6, 11 and 12 (1) apply. government's services and See also Restoration of Summary Offences after Trial on Indictment, below in this section. Other cases on drivers' hours include Vehicle Inspectorate v Southern Coaches and Others [2000] RTR 165. If the company did have such a system but it didnt work on a particular occasion that might suffice as a defence. Once police have received written confirmation from the driver, it is the drivers' choice to either accept: The offences under sections 3 , 17(2) , 18(3) , 24(3) , 26(1) and (2) , 29 , 31(1) , 35 , 42(b) , 47(1) , 87(2) , 143 , 163 , 164(6) and (9) , 165(3) and (6) , 168 , 170 and 172(3) RTA 1988. If you were exceeding the speed limit by a great deal, you could receive a ban. Where no production is made at the nominated police station, the police may issue proceedings that allege either or both allegations that the motorist drove/used a motor vehicle without the proper documentation or that he or she failed to produce them as required by law. This can be communicated verbally to you at the scene of the alleged crime, or it can be posted or served to you. 08 October 2018 It appears to an officer that an offence has been committed under section 99(5) in respect of the vehicle or its driver. You have been summoned to attend court for either not having one or more documents, as required, for using a motor vehicle on a road (or public place). It is not necessary for the information to be personally received by a justice or by the clerk. information online. Your lease company will receive the ticket. if evidence of excess alcohol has been adduced at the Crown Court trial, it is more than likely that it will have been taken into account for the purpose of sentencing (this will obviously be so in the case of a trial for a section 3A offence); where a defendant has been convicted of an offence contrary to sections 1 or 3A RTA, a summary offence should not normally be restored if the defendant has been disqualified for a period at least as long as the obligatory period for the summary offence; the lapse of time between the date of the offence, the Crown Court trial and the likely date of hearing for the summary matters; if the defendant has been sentenced to a period of imprisonment, restoration of a summary offence will seldom be appropriate. The legal loophole you can use to avoid paying a speeding fine Should any defendant refuse to co-operate with the above procedure, not guilty pleas should be noted, and the case adjourned for trial or review. Alternatively, you could receive a 100 fixed penalty ticket and 3 points or if the matter goes to court you could receive a maximum fine of 1000 (2500 if on a motorway) and 3 to 6 penalty points. Where a defendant raises exceptional hardship as a reason for not being disqualified under the repeated offence provisions of s.35 RTOA 1988 it is appropriate for the prosecutor to question the defendant. Making enquiries does not extend the 28 day time limit as stated on the NIP. In relation to the controversial right to silence argument, the ECHR verdict in (halloran and francis) enable the British Government to continue to force motorists to incriminate themselves using S172 of the Road Traffic Act, which is almost always the only evidence of the drivers identity in speed camera cases The duty to determine whether any documents produced are valid does not pass to any other agency where a motorist fails to produce the required driving documents to a police officer on demand or at a nominated police station. We frequently get asked about going to court for speeding offence, this depends on each individual case. Liability for these offences falls upon the "Driver" (for the Domestic Rules) or the 'Offender' (for the European Community Rules). The purpose of a notice of intended prosecution (NIP) is to inform a potential defendant that they may be prosecuted for an offence they have committed, whilst the incident is still fresh in their memory. The Section 172 notice will ask you to identify the driver of your car during the alleged offence. by sending a notice within 14 days of the possibility of prosecution and specifying the nature of the alleged offence and the time and place where it is alleged to have been committed to the driver, registered keeper of the vehicle or rider of the cycle. Offences are either way, punishable by way of fine in the Magistrates' Court or by imprisonment (maximum two years) in the Crown Court. pursuant to section 6 Road Traffic Offenders Act 1988. there was sufficient evidence in my opinion to warrant proceedings against: pursuant to the provisions of section 6 of the said Act. Legal Process | Loopholes | Motoring Offences - Motor Lawyers Section 103 RTA 1988 - see (Wilkinson's 11-71 to 11-79). what you think by taking our short survey, Reality TV star Stephen Bear has been sentenced to 21 months imprisonment today for voyeurism and two counts of, A Chelsea supporter has been banned from football for three years for a racially aggravated public order offence, The CPS has authorised the @metpoliceuk to charge Constance Marten and Mark Gordon with gross negligence manslau, Coming up in the next edition of our community newsletter: